Rubber shims for squeaky beds

ABSTRACT

In a bed of the type in which the box spring is supported on a plurality of bed slats, which extend transversely between opposite sides of the bed frame, undesirable squeaking and wear of the box spring cover are eliminated by inserting resilient bed shims over opposite ends of the bed slats. Each shim rests upon one of the side rails of the bed frame, and has a pair of vertically spaced, lateral projections, which embrace one end of a bed slat. The lower projection on such shim extends between a side rail and the lower surface of a slat, and the upper projection extends between the upper surface of the slat and the box spring resting thereon. A vertical lip projects above each upper projection; and these lips embrace opposite sides of the box spring to secure it against lateral movement.

United States Patent Addante s4] RUBBER srnMs FOR SQUEAKY BEDS [72]Inventor: Michael S. Addante, Lakeshore Drive, Ca-

nandaigua,N.Y. 14424 22 Filed: June 22, 1970 [2i] Appl.No.: 48,195

52] us. c1. .5/309 1511 111:. c1 ..A47c 19/00 581 Field ofSearch..5/236,309,236B

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,080,068 5/1937 Weisman..s/309 x 2,157,064 5/1939 Wunderlich ..s/309x 2,247,900 6/1941Wunderlich ..s/309x FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 836,761 6/1960 GreatBritain ..5/309 Feb. 15, l 972 Primary Examiner-James C. MitchellAttomey-Shlesinger, Fitzsimmons & Shlesinger [571' ABSTRACT In a bed ofthe type in which the box spring is supported on a plurality of bedslats, which extend transversely between opposite sides of the bedframe, undesirable squeaking and wear of the box spring cover areeliminated by inserting resilient bed shims over opposite ends of thebed slats. Each shim rests upon one of the side rails of the bed frame,and has a pair of vertically spaced, lateral projections, which embraceone end of a bed slat. The lower projection on such shim extends betweena side rail and the lower surface of a slat, and the upper projectionextends between the upper surface of the slat and the box spring restingthereon. A vertical lip projects above each upper projection; and theselips embrace opposite sides of the box spring to secure it againstlateral movement 6Claims,4DrawingFlgures RUBBER SIIIMS FOR SQUEAKY BEDS.

This invention relates to beds, and more particularly to novel means foreliminating noisy squeaks, and the resultant wear, which occur when thebox spring of a bed moves relative to its supports. More particularly,this invention is related to beds of the type in which a plurality ofwooden bed slats, or the like, are employed for supporting a box springand mattress on a bed frame.

There are two principal ways of supporting a box spring and itsassociated mattress on a bed. One way is to support opposite sides ofthe box spring directly on a pair of ledges or angle irons that extendalong opposite sides of the bed frame. This is the typical constructionemployed with the so-called Hollywood style of bed frame. With thisconstruction the box spring is designed to fit snugly between theopposed angle irons, so that ideally there is no space left for the boxspring to shift laterally between opposite sides of the bed.

A different problem, however, is encountered when the second way ofsupporting the box spring is employed. In this case, instead ofsupporting the box spring directly on the angle irons or ledges whichextend along opposite sides of the bed frame, a plurality of elongate,spaced bed slats (for example 1X4 inch boards or the like) are supportedat opposite ends on the angle irons or ledges, and thebox spring isplaced on top of the bed slats. With this form of construction the boxspring is usually narrower than .the length of the bed slats, so thatthe box spring is free to slide slightly laterally on the slats relativeto the bed frame as well as longitudinally of the bed frame.Periodically, therefore, it is usually necessary to recenter the boxspring on the bed slats so that it will be equally spaced from the sidesand the ends of the bed frame. Moreover, since the weight of the boxspring and its associated mattress is the only force tending to preventmovement of the bed slats themselves relative both to the box spring andbed frame, any undesirable movement of the box spring may produce acorresponding undesirable movement of the bed slats. It is, therefore,often necessary also to readjust the bed slats to prevent one or morethereof from dropping from between the supporting ledges or angle ironson the bed frame.

In addition, a bed of the type described also has the disadvantage thatthe undesirable shifting of the box spring against one side or the otherof the bed frame may accidentally result in the tearing of the fabric inwhich the box spring normally is enclosed. Moreover, any such movementof the box spring relative to the slats, or the slats relative to thebox spring and the bed frame, often produce undesirable squeaks, whichmay be annoying enough to interfere with the occupant's sleep.

Although efforts have been made to eliminate the problem of squeaking byinterposing a flexible cushion between the bed slats and the associatedbed frame, such prior efforts have addressed themselves only to a partof the problem, since it is the movement of the box spring, whichultimately produces undesirable movement of the bed slats.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel, resilient shim,which eliminates undesirable movement of both a box spring and itssupporting bed slats relative to one another and to the associated bedframe.

Another object of this invention is to provide resilient shims of thetype described, which are adapted to embrace opposite sides of a boxspring and opposite ends of its supporting bed slats, therebyresiliently to secure both the box spring and the slats against movementrelative to the supporting bed frame.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from thespecification and from the recital of the appended claims, particularlywhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a bed shim made in accordance with oneembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of this shim taken along the line 22 in FIG.I looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of this shim taken along the line 3-3 in FIG.I looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of a bed illustrating the manner in which shimsmade in accordance with this invention are adapted to be employed.

Referring now to the drawing by numerals of reference, denotes generallya one-piece resilient bed shim, which may be made from neoprene spongeor like resilient material. The shim comprises a vertical end section12, and a pair of parallel, vertically spaced lip sections 13 and 14,which project horizontally from one side of section 12 (the right sideas illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2). The upper lip section 14 projects atits outer end laterally beyond the outer end of the lower lip section13; and both lip sections 13 and 14 have their outer comers rounded offas at 13' and 14', respectively. Sections I2, 13 and 14 are ofapproximately the same thickness, except in the area adjacent theintersection of sections I2 and 14. Here the thickness of section 14increases abruptly to form on the upper surface of shim 10 a verticalshoulder or step 16, which extends transversely of the shim in a planethat intersects sections 13 and 14.

The shim 10 has an overall width approximately equal to the width of astandard bed slat; and sections 13 and 14 are vertically spaced from oneanother a distance approximately equal to the thickness of a standardbed slat. The upper lip section 14 projects beyond the vertical section12 approximately twice the distance of the lower lip section 13; andsections I2. 13 and 14 may be, for example, approximately one-fourth ofan inch thick. The section of the shim forming the transverse shoulder16 may also be approximately a quarter of an inch thick, and extendsfrom adjacent the inner end of section 14 across the upper end ofsection 12.

The shim 10 is adapted to be employed with a conventional bed of thetype which utilizes bed slats for removably supporting the box springand associated mattress on the bed. As illustrated in FIG. 4, forexample, the frame of such a bed may comprise a pair of spaced sidemembers 21, which have fastened to their inside surfaces a pair ofspaced, parallel angle 'brackets 22, which extend horizontally betweenthe head and foot of the bed frame. I-Ieretofore it has been customaryin such a bed to place opposite ends of a plurality of parallel bedslats 23 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4) on the horizontallydisposed legs of brackets 22, and then to rest the box spring 24directly on the slats 23. The mattress 25, is then placed directly onthe box spring 24.

To use applicant's invention, one shim I0 is inserted over each end ofeach bed slat 23, so that the corresponding end of the slat fits snuglyinto the space between the lower and upper lip sections 13 and 14 of theshim; and so that the end of the slat confronts the vertical section 12of the shim. The slats 23, now capped with the shims 10, are placed onthe bed frame so that the lip sections 13 of the shims rest directly onthe horizontal legs of the brackets 22, and the vertical sections 12rest against the corresponding vertical legs of the brackets. The boxspring 24 is then placed centrally on the bed frame so that the marginalside edges thereof rest upon the upper sections 14 of the shims 10 insuch manner that the vertical shoulders 16 of the shims snugly embraceopposite sides of the box spring, so that it cannot shift laterallyrelative to the bed frame. The weight of the box spring 24 and thecorresponding mattress 25 compress the shims l0 slightly, so that theslats 23 are also secured frictionally against movement relative to theshims l0 and the supporting brackets 22, respectively.

The result is that the shims 10 provide resilient interfaces between thebrackets 22, the bed slats 23 and the box spring 24, so that none of theconfronting surfaces of these three sections bear directly one upon theother. Consequently, any strain applied to the bed during use isabsorbed by the shims 10, which perform the dual functions of securingthe brackets 22, slats 23 and box spring 24 resiliently againstundesirable movement relative to one another, and eliminating theconsequent squeaking, which heretofore accompanied such movements.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the novel shims disclosedherein provide inexpensive and reliable means for eliminatingundesirable squeaking and relative movements between the slats and boxspring in beds of the type described. Moreover applicants novel shimshave the further advantage that they substantially prolong the overalllife of the box springs supported thereon. Such box springs are normallyenclosed in a relatively thin layer of fabric, which may be easily torn,or readily worn out, if during repeated use the box spring is allowed toshift laterally or longitudinally relative to the supporting bed slats23 and associated bed frame. On the other hand, when shims are employedas illustrated in FIG. 4, not only is the box spring 24 precluded fromshifting laterally by the shoulders 16, but also its movementlongitudinally of the bed is prevented by the frictional forcesdeveloped between the underside of the box spring, and the uppersurfaces of the supporting lip sections 14. Similar frictional forceswhich are developed between the lip sections 13 and 14 and the end ofthe slat 23 enclosed therein, eliminate any longitudinal movement of thebed slats 23 relative to the bed frame.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A resilient bed shim, for use in beds of the type in which a boxspring is supported on a plurality of bed slats, and having a verticalsection,

a pair of vertically spaced lateral sections integral with andprojecting horizontally from one side of said vertical section toembrace one end of a bed slat along the upper and lower surfacesthereof, and

a further section forming on the upper surface of said shim a verticalshoulder which extends transversely of the shim, and which faces in thedirection of said lateral sections to engage the side edge of a boxspring, when the shim is in use.

2. A resilient shim as defined in claim 1, wherein said lateral sectionsproject from said vertical section adjacent the upper and lower edges,respectively, of said vertical section, and

the distance separating said lateral sections is approximately equal tothe thickness ofa bed slat.

3. A resilient shim as defined in claim 2, wherein the upper of saidpair of lateral sections extends laterally beyond the lower of saidpair.

4. A resilient shim as defined in claim 3, wherein said further sectionis integral with said upper lateral section adjacent the intersectionthereof with said vertical section, and

said shoulder lies in a vertical plane which intersects said lowerlateral section.

5. In a bed having a frame, and a box spring supported on a plurality ofparallel slats which are supported at opposite ends on a pair of spaced,parallel ledges that extend along the inside of the bed frame atopposite sides thereof,

a plurality of resilient bed shims releasably mounted over opposite endsof said slats, each of said shims having a first section interposedbetween the underside of one end of a bed slat and the supporting ledgeon said bed frame,

a second section interposed between the upper side of said one end ofthe last-named slat and the underside of said box spring, and

a third section connecting said first and second sections and extendingtransversely across said one end of said lastnamed slat,

each of said shims having thereon a further section integral with andprojecting above said second section thereof, thereby to form on eachshim a transverse shoulder which projects vertically above the secondsection of the shim, and

at each side of said bed said shoulders being disposed to confront thecorresponding longitudinal side edge of said box spring to preventlateral movement of the latter.

6. In a bed as defined in claim 5, wherein said shims are made of aneoprene sponge material, and

each shim has a width approximately equal to the width of the associatedbed slat.

1. A resilient bed shim, for use in beds of the type in which a boxspring is supported on a plurality of bed slats, and having a verticalsection, a pair of vertically spaced lateral sections integral with andprojecting horizontally from one side of said vertical section toembrace one end of a bed slat along the upper and lower surfacesthereof, and a further section forming on the upper surface of said shima vertical shoulder which extends transversely of the shim, and whichfaces in the direction of said lateral sections to engage the side edgeof a box spring, when the shim is in use.
 2. A resilient shim as definedin claim 1, wherein said lateral sections project from said verticalsection adjacent the upper and lower edges, respectively, of saidvertical section, and the distance separating said lateral sections isapproximately equal to the thickness of a bed slat.
 3. A resilient shimas defined in claim 2, wherein the upper of said pair of lateralseCtions extends laterally beyond the lower of said pair.
 4. A resilientshim as defined in claim 3, wherein said further section is integralwith said upper lateral section adjacent the intersection thereof withsaid vertical section, and said shoulder lies in a vertical plane whichintersects said lower lateral section.
 5. In a bed having a frame, and abox spring supported on a plurality of parallel slats which aresupported at opposite ends on a pair of spaced, parallel ledges thatextend along the inside of the bed frame at opposite sides thereof, aplurality of resilient bed shims releasably mounted over opposite endsof said slats, each of said shims having a first section interposedbetween the underside of one end of a bed slat and the supporting ledgeon said bed frame, a second section interposed between the upper side ofsaid one end of the last-named slat and the underside of said boxspring, and a third section connecting said first and second sectionsand extending transversely across said one end of said last-named slat,each of said shims having thereon a further section integral with andprojecting above said second section thereof, thereby to form on eachshim a transverse shoulder which projects vertically above the secondsection of the shim, and at each side of said bed said shoulders beingdisposed to confront the corresponding longitudinal side edge of saidbox spring to prevent lateral movement of the latter.
 6. In a bed asdefined in claim 5, wherein said shims are made of a neoprene spongematerial, and each shim has a width approximately equal to the width ofthe associated bed slat.